Setting up php

Question

i am trying desperately to set up php and can't get there without some serious help on one issue. ive gotten php, phpmyadmin, mysql, and apache running. BUT i can't figure out how to get rid of the following warning that appears on the phpmyadmin home page:
Your configuration file contains settings (root with no password) that correspond to the default MySQL privileged account. Your MySQL server is running with this default, is open to intrusion, and you really should fix this security hole.
i dont know where the configuration file is, or within that file where the root & password need to be modified. please someone help me out. im almost up and running and this obstacle has frustratingly kept me from learning php for months.
thanks in advance

Answer 1

MySql is telling you that the 'root' user does not have a password assigned to it. The 'root' password is unassigned to access the program on install. You should definately change this asap.
Go to your terminal app in utilities folder and launch it.
1. Start the MySQL monitor by typing: mysql -uroot.
You should now be connected to the monitor and it will give you a welcome message.
2. The comand prompt should have chaned to 'mysql>'
User rights for users are stored in a database called 'mysql' You need to change to it to change the 'root' account's access details.
3. at the prompt type: use mysql.
A message displays 'database changed'
4 To give the root user a password type the following (and replace yourpwd with your own password). Be carefull here, the password is enclosed between two single quotes and a semicolon at the very end of the query. The semicolon tells MySQL that it is the end of the query.
Type: UPDATE user SET password = PASSWORD('yourpwd') WHERE user = 'root';
5. To remove anonymous access to MySQL is next.
Be carefull here too, two single quotes next to each other (no spaces) at the end of the query and followed by a semicolon.
Type: DELETE FROM user WHERE user = '';
6. Now flush the privileges.
Type: FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
Test it now by closing the monitor.
Type: exit
Close the terminal window and open a new one.
Now try to get into the monitor again by typing at the prompt: mysql -uroot
It should not let you in this time.
To gain acces in future type: mysql -uroot -p
It should ask you for the password you set up as described above. Enter it and press return. You should be in!
Your MySQL should now be more secure with an asigned password to the root account.
Now go back to the web interface of installing MySQL and specify the user as 'root' and in the password field add your new password you gave the 'root' account as specified above. That warning should now be history.
Remeber! Do not delete the database named 'mysql' because all the user accounts and access levels are stored there.
Hope this helped you.
Regards,
Q.